Page 69 of Revere

“You are no fun.” She laughs. “But I’ll take it.”

I open my laptop again, thankful it saved the sentence I was writing. “How was Mila when you talked to her this morning?”

I meant to call her this morning to see how she’s handling the aftermath of an evening at my parents’ house, but when I woke up, Jacob buried his face between my legs and distracted me until it was time to meet up with Violet.

“She seemed fine. Why? Did something happen when you were in Bristal?” Her eyebrows pinch.

“Just dinner at my parents’ house.” I shake my head. “My brother decided it would be a good idea to bring her. That went as well as should be expected when dealing with my parents.”

“So it’s true that Mila and Alex are dating?”

“I don’t know what they’re labeling it, especially after last night. But he definitely likes her.” I frown.

“Does that bother you?” Violet’s eyebrows pinch. “I doubt Mila would pursue it unless she was serious about it. She wouldn’t risk her friendship with you for a fling.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.” I glance at Kole, who’s standing at a distance, talking on the phone like he has been for the past fifteen minutes. “Mila dating Marco was one thing. Itwas never going to go anywhere. But she cares about my brother, and he comes with a lot. They all do.”

Violet follows my gaze to Kole. “I get that. And I understand why you might be worried. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you can make a lot of choices in life, but you can’t choose who you love. You fall for who you fall for. There’s nothing you can do to fight it when it’s right.”

Or wrong.

Because I’ve been fighting my feelings for Jacob, and I have plenty of reasons to stay away from him, but I can’t. Even if he might not feel the same.

What if now that he’s had me, the forbidden excitement has dulled, and he moves on? I drop my attention to my research paper, trying to ignore that thought.

“Well, Mila sounded good when I talked to her,” Violet says, not seeming to notice the concern that just swept through me. “And I saw Alex sitting on the couch in the background during the call, so clearly they’re still on good enough terms to be in the same room together.”

“He was?” My voice pitches; relief sweeps through me.

There’s something reassuring about them working through it. Maybe it’s even proof that the most difficult people can be loved. If Mila can see past Alex’s baggage, could someone see past mine?

Violet nods. “I’m sure they’re fine.”

“Good.” I sigh, focusing on my paper again. “How is your final report coming along?”

“I’m finally feeling better about it.”

“Same.” My fingers fly across the keys, and I feel lighter now that this research paper is nearly done. “I think I finally feel good about my points on the Irsite case, even if there are holes in the report.”

“Professor Gray withheld something from the documents he gave us, right?”

“Definitely. I think this entire assignment is a trick to see if we can figure out what it is.”

“How fun for us.” She rolls her eyes. “Either way, I think you have a good shot at landing the interview.”

“Your paper makes way more sense. I’m running on intuition and hunches.”

“There are facts in there.”

“I think you’re confusing facts with wildly outrageous guesses.” I sigh.

“I stand by my statement.” Violet’s attention drifts as Kole starts to walk back over to us. “Looks like he’s done. We’re going to grab lunch after I turn my paper in. Want to join us?”

“I was going to spend some time at the library.”

She frowns but doesn’t argue. I never join them, which is why I’m surprised she still bothers to offer.

When Kole reaches the table, he helps gather her things, wrapping her under his arm as she waves goodbye. A pang of guilt runs through me at how I’m always setting myself on the outside. At first, it was to avoid Kole, but now it’s only creating distance between me and my friends.